Commissioner-Bashing Free Zone?

The always engaging Mark Heisler tackles the NBA's crackdown on complaining in this week's L.A. Times NBA column and dropped this juicy little item:

If commentators like Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy slash away boldly, Stern's name never comes up, even on edgy, freewheeling shows like ESPN's "SportsCenter."

Of course, ESPN is a broadcast partner — and I've heard the NBA deal includes language barring any criticism of Stern.

If it doesn't, then it's a curious, universal omission.

(It's also true for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, whose name never comes up in the gnashing of teeth over his more frequent and controversial moves.)

Needless to say, I think Tim Finchem should demand similar language in the next golf television contract since he appears to be following the Castro succession model.